Cross-linking of erythrocyte membrane proteins by periodate and intramembrane particle distribution.

Treatment of isolated human erythrocyte membranes at pH 7.4 with 0.1-0.5 mM-sodium periodate specifically cross-linked some of the spectrin polypeptides. Treatment with 2 mM-periodate resulted in complete cross-linking of spectrin and partial cross-linking of other polypeptides. The latter treatment also caused aggregation of the intramembrane particles made visible by freeze-fracturing. When membranes that had been treated with 2 mM-periodate were depleted of spectrin by treatment with 0.1 mM-EDTA, extensive aggregation of the intramembrane particles occurred.